Electkic signaling system



J. RECKTENWALD.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED DEC.22, 1920.

1,382,121. Patented June 21, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

J. RECKTENWA'LD.

ELEcTRlc SIGNALING SYSTEM.

PPLICATION FILED DEC.22, 1920.

1,382,121 Patented June 21, 1921. a sains-SHEET 2.

v1. RECKTENVVALD, ELECTRIC SIGN/ums SYSTEM'. APPLICATION FILED DEC.22, 1920.

Patented; June 2L )1ML 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES Partnr ori-*lcs JOHN RECKTENVJ'ALD, 0F VENEDY, ILLINOL. ASSIG'NOR 0F ONE-SXTH TO WILLIAM MEYER, ONE-SIXTH TO W1CLLIAIM F. SEGELHRST, AND ONE-SIXTH T0 WILLAM C.

STEINMAN, ALL 0F VENEDY, ILLlNOS.

ELEGTRC SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Speciication of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 21, 1921.

AppIcation iled December 22, 1920. Serial No. 432,469. f

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, Jol-iN RECKTENWALD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Venedy` yin the county of Washington and State of illinois, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Electric Signaling Systems, of-which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to electric signaling systems and has relation more particularly to a device of-this general character especially designed and adapted for use in connection with railways, and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved apparatus of this character wherein a warning may be given at a road crossing or other location of the approach of a train and wherein the train is provided with means to indicate that the system is functioning.

`Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved electric signaling system of this general character wherein the sourceof electrical energy is carried by the train and more particularly by the locomotive.

'lt is also anV object ofthe invention to provide a novel and improved system of this general character of an intermittent electrical contact type which is intended to operate a signal carried by a train or locomotive in case of danger ahead and to operate signals at predetermined pointsalong the tracliway as a warning that a train is approaching.

The invention consists in the details of construction yand in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved electric signaling system whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less eX- pensive andotherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, l will now proceed to describe the same with reference tothe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view partly in rearelevation and partly in section illustrating certain features of my improved electric ysignaling system as herein disclosed.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view 55 illustrating the means whereby the circuits are controlled by the reversing lever.

Fig. 3 is a View partly in vertical section and partly in elevation of the structure as disclosed in Fig. 2.

Fig. d is a view in top plan of the contact members disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3 and a sectional view through the reversing lever illustrating in detail the contact member or button carried by said lever.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the mounting of one of the plates to the rail of a trackway.

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of one of the plates as illustrated in Fig.l 5, unapplied.:

F 7 is a diagrammatic view in plan of the features of my improved system which are arranged adjacent the trackway.

8 isa diagrammatic view in elevation illustrating the initial closing of a circuit, and

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 illustrating a second position of the parts and whereby a circuit is closed to operate the highway signals only.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, C denotes a cab of a locomotive of any desired type and wherein is arranged a reversing lever 1 for the throttle valve or other mechanism for controlling the motive force. In the present embodiment of my invention, the lever 1 is supported for swinging movement and at a desired'point intermediate its length has disposed therethrough a button or member 2 of electrical conducting material. rlf'his button or member 2 is insulated from the lever l by a bushing or sleeve 3.

In advance of the lever 1 is a pair of arcuate contact members f1 and a similar pair of contact members 5 is arranged rearwardly of the lever 1. The members 1 and 5 are disposed on a curvature substantially concentric to the fulcrum of the lever 1 so that upon movement of the lever in a forward direction, the button or member 2 will pass between and engage the contact members 4. to close a circuit therethrough. This button or member 2 also, upon rearward movement of the lever 1, passes between and engages the contacts 5 to close a circuit therethrough.

One ofthe contact members 4 is in electrical connection, vas at .09, with a dynamo D or other source of electrical energy through the wire or conductor 6. rIhe adjacent con-V t ct member is in electrical connection, as at Z), with said dynamo D through the wire or conductor 7.

Leading from the connection Z) with the dynamo l) to a connection c olif a bell or other audible signal B is a wire or conductor 8.y Each of the remaining contact members d and 5 isin electrical connection with a wire or conductor 9 leading to a -f binding` post. 10 to be hereinafter more particularly referred to. l Y

y Leading from the second connection d of the bell or signal B is a wire or conductor 11 which is in electrical connection with a Y, side frame S to be later described.

; substantially directly above the rails R comprised. in the trackway over which the locomotive travels.

A wireV or conductor v12 leads from the connectionc 'of the bell or signal B to a -z plate 13 arranged within the cab@ and eX- tending' inwardly thereof. A similar wire or conductor 12 leads from the connection c ofjzthebell ior signal IB to a second Depending from the locomotive, and more particularly the cab C thereof, is a frame Fsubstantiallyin the form of an inverted U and of conductivematerial. rllhe central or intermediate portion l14 of the frame F is secured; to the locomotive through the medium'oii tlie-bolts 15 or otherwise as may best comply with the requirements of practice. r1`hepost 10, hereinbefore referred to, is in electrical connection with the [rame llF or more particularly the intermediate portio'nl 14: thereof; 1t is also to be understood that the `frame Fis suitably insulated from the locomotive or more particularly the ioor or-:adjacent wall of the cab C.

The arms16 of the frame F are vertically disposed and substantially in lparallelism andthe-lower for free end portions oii-said arms 16'r rotatably ysupport and are connected rby the axle orlspindle 17 of conduc- :tive imate'rial. Vll/ountet-lon each end portion of the :axle or :spindle 17is a wheel 18 of conductivex-material which rides upon a railzR.V

vThe side framev S issecured'to. and supv'ported-by oneof the'side arms 16 of the frameiFfwhile the second side frame S is secured to and supportedv by the second arm 16. Eaeh'of'the side vframesS and S is oi electrcal conductive material and comprises a vertically disposed portion er member 1S) terminatino at its ofiosite ends in oluently the side frame, are insulated l'rom the coacting` arm 1G of the irame l? by the washers 23 ot non-conductive material, so that any current which may pass through a side trame S or S will not be transmitted through the frame F and vice versa.

Slidably disposed through the inwardly directed arms or extensions 2() ot each oi the side iframes S and S is a vertically disposed rod or member 21 of conductive material. The upper end portion ot this member extends within the cab C and is adapted lo be moved into or out ot contact with the adjacent plate 13 or 13 positioned there above.

Directed transversely through the rod or member 2liat a point within side trame S or S is a pin 25 allerding an abutment for one end portion of an expaiisible springl 26 encircling said member or rod 2l with the opposite end portion beariiinr against the inner face of the upper arni or extension 20. ly this means, the rod or member 21 is constantly urged downwardly so that normally the upper end portion of said member or rod 241- is out of contact with plate 13 or 13. The pin 25, hereinbefore rclerred to, also contacts with the upper lace of the lower arm or eXtensioii 2O of side frame S or S to limit the downward movement of the member or rod 24- under the iniiuence of the spring' 26.

rllhe lower end portion of each ot the members or rods 21 is provided with a wheel 2i' in electrical contact therewith and which wheel is adapted to contact with the plates' 1 carried vby the rails 1t at predetermined spaced points therealonnr and arranged outwardly of said rails. Each ot the plates 1 comprises a central or intermediate straight portion 28 of desired length terminating' at opposite ends in the downwardly Iand outwardly inclined portions 29.

rElie central or intermediate straight portion 28 of the plate l) is ol" a width gicatcr `than the width ot each ot the inclined end portions 29, with said portions 29 in continuity with theouter marginal portions ot kthe intermediate `or central portion 2S. The

inner margin of the central or intermediate portion 28 of the plate P is defined by a depending flange 30. This flange 30 is vadapted to be clamped, as at 31, to a fish plate 32. The plate 32 is held in operative engagement with a rail R through the medium of a clampin` member l arrangement.

The trackway `is divided, as at w into blocks and in the presentembodiment of my invention a block is shown to be of a length extending from one highway H to another, although I donot vWish to be understood as limiting myself to this particular or exact It is also to be understood that the rail sections vof one of the blocks are insulated in a `conventional manner from the rail sections of the adjacent blocks. Adjacent each highway H and to one side of 1 the trackway is a support 34 hereindisclosed as a post and mounted upon said support is an electric bell or othcraudible signal and an electric light V36 or other visual signal, saidfbell 35 and light 36beingherein disclosed as electrically connected in series by the wires or conductors 37, although it is to be understood that the same may be otherwise electrically connected as may best comply with the requirementsv of practice.

TheV wires or conductors 38 and 40 lead from one of the connections f with the bell 35, one of said wires or conductors as 38 being in electrical connection with one rail in a block of the trackway and the second con- .ductor or wire 40 being electrically connected in series with the plates P of the second or adjacent block of the trackway and with the plates carried by the rail of the second block remote from the rail ofthe first named block with which the wire or conductor 38 is electrically connected.

The wires or conductors 39` from the second connection e with the bell 35fone of said;wires or conductors as 39 being electrically connected in. seriesf with the plates P carried by the rail-R of the first block with which the wire or conductor 38 is electrically connected. The wire or conductor 41 is in electrical connection with the rail of the second block of the trackway carrying the plates P with which the wire or conductor40 is electrically connected in series.

When the lever 1 is moved forwardly, the member or button 2 bridges or connects the contact members 4 so that an electric current may iiow from the dynamo D through the wire 8 to the bell B and from the bell B through the wire 11 to an outside frame S.

`From the frame S, the current is adapted to flow through the elongated rod or member 24 and the coacting wheel 27. When the wheel 27 contacts with an end or inclined portion 29 of a plate, the circuit is continued through said plate and through a wire or conductor 40 to the bell 35 and light 36 in advance of the train. The current then continues through the wire 41 to a rail R and up through the wheel 18 and frame F and through the wire or conductor 9 back to one of the contacts 4.

When a wheel 27 is in contact with the end portions 29 of a plate, the highway sigand 41 lead Y the upper end portion of the member or rod 24 contacts with a plate 13. This results in the bell B being cut out as the circuit then runs through the wire or conductor 12, through the member or rod 24, the wheel 27, plate'P, and from the plate P through wire 40 to the highway signals 351 .and 36, and thence through wire 41 to a rail R. Fromi the rail R, the current passes up by way of wheel 18 through the frame F to the wire 0r,- conductor 9. `The system operates, as hereinbefore stated, with the same advantage when the lever 1 is pushed rearwardly, in which event the operating circuit is closed through the contact members 5.

In the event any one of the wires or. conductors, a rail R, or a plate P becomes broken, the bell B in the cab will not ring. This will clearly indicate to the engine man that he must proceed with caution.

When a train is traveling in the direction of the arrow, as indicated in-Fig. 7, the shoe or wheel 27 on the right hand side of the train contacts with the inclined portions or ramps 29 of the plates P at the right side of the trackway and when the contacts 4 are bridged, the circuit, traced in reverse order, is from the connection a with the dynamo D, through conductor 6,' the contacts 4, conductor 9, frame F, the rail R, conductor 41, through bell 35, conductor 40, plate P, wheel or shoe 27, frame 19, conductor 11, bell B, through conductor 8, to connection b with the dynamo D. When the train is travelingin the opposite direction, the contacts 5 are bridged, the circuit is closed from the contact b, through the conductor 7 the contacts 5, conductor 9, through the frame F, through the rail at the left of the track, through the conductor 38, through the bell 35, the conductor 39, to a plate carried by the left rail of the trackway, through the left shoe or wheel 27, frame S', the conductor 11', bell B', to the connection a with the dynamo D From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that an electric signaling system 4constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and VV20.A

for this reason I `do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to thev precise arrangement and formation ofthe. several parts herein 'shown in'carrying out my in- 1 vention Ainpractice `except as hereinafter claimed.

I. claim v a l. An electric 'signaling system comprising, in combination, a trackway, a highway signal, `contactmembers lcarried by a rail of-lthetrackway, said highway signal being in. electrical connection with the contact members 'and al rail of the trackway, rolling stock traveling onthe trackway., a source of electrical energy carried by said rolling stock, a shoe carried by the rolling stock for contact'with the contact members, said shoev being movable in a vertical direction toward. or from each of the contact members', means vfor constantly urgingft'he shoe downwardly, an electrical 'connection between the shoeand the'source of electrical energy,

a member carried by the rolling lstockland contacting with a raiLmeans for electrically 'f connecting said last named member with'the source of electrical'energy, a contact member carried bythe rolling stock, a normally open Vshunt 'circuit connecting the secondA named contact member andthe electrical '-connectionbetween the shoe andthe sourceA of electricalenergy, a signal carried bythe rolling stock and interposed 'in the `firstA named electrical connection, and coacting)` meanscarried by the'shoel nand each ofthe iirstfna'med contact members for closing the shunt circuit through the last named'ceir tact member and thereby cutting `out the last namedf-signal. 1

2Q An electric signaling system comprising, in combination, a traclrway, a highway signal, Contact members carried by a rail of ther trackway, said highway signal being in electrical connection with the contact members and with a rail of the traclrway, rolling stock adapted to travel on the trackway, a source oif.` electrical energy carried by said rolling stock, a shoe carried by the rolling stock ilfor engagement with the contact members of the rail,said slice being supported by the rolling stock for movement in a vertical direction, means for constantly urging the shoe` downwardly, the end Aportionsof the contact members being inclined downwardly whereby the shoe moves upwardly and downwardly as the same passes over and contacts with cach of the contact members, an `electrical connectionbetween the shoe and the source of electrical energy, a member having electrical connection with the rail of the trackway with which the higlnvay signal is electrically'connected, an electrical connection with said'lmember and the source of electrical energy, a normally open shunt circuit associated with the electrical connections between the shoe andthe member, and a signal interposed in the irstnamed electrical connection, 'said shunt circuit being closed when the 'shoe listmoved upwardly by contact witha contact member and being open when the shoe is riding over and contacting with the inclined portions of the contact members.

'In testimonywhe'reoil I hereunto ailix my signature.

' JOHN RECKTENWALD. 

